Qatrana Cement workers strike on pay dispute

Qatrana Cement Company, a subsidiary of Arabian Cement Co (ARRCO) was forced to halt cement production as employees at the factory held a strike over a pay dispute and closed an access road leading to the works.

According to reports in Construction Week, industrial action lasted for eight day after the ministry of labour interceded to negotiate between workers and factory management.

Workers had erected a Bedouin tent across the main gates of the cement plant and demanded an end to ‘low salaries’ and a lack of health insurance, the Jordan Times reported.

The ministry intervened after ARRCO’s board of directors asked various Jordanian authorities (including the Presidency of the Council of Ministers) to respond to the action and re-open the road, according to a company statement.

ARCCO is still working with Jordanian authorities and is studying all available options to protect its investment. The access is road is now open and the remaining stock is being dispatched, however, the factory has not resumed operations, according to local press reports.